All My Friends Are Trees: Reiki Tree

A gentle spirit who stands tall on the corner of a small ridge, the Reiki Tree, overlooks an expansive field and baseball diamond. Her wide canopy offers shade to sports fans and her small seed pods seem to be the snack of choice for a gang of park pigeons. She has spread her roots along the grass to fully encircle the base of her trunk and invites park goers a ready-made seat to rest awhile.

For many weeks, she had been inviting me to practice with her in the cooling shade from her wealth of leaves. Often, by the time I had arrived in her area, others were already with her or I was shorter on time than anticipated. Regularly I promised, “Next time, Friend…next time” and finally, at the end of June, I found her alone and waiting. I took a seat among those supportive roots and began Reiki flow.

Some trees take time to show their receptivity to any attempt at a relationship, but not this beautiful spirit. She is both giving and kind; the qualities of a true healer. That day, I had arrived a little sad but by the end of practice and her supportive healing, I left her side with a slight lift to my step and a knowing smirk on my face. The many ‘pockets’ in her bark can hold a multitude of secrets but she is as trustworthy as she is tall.

How often do we pass by trees lining the street or path in a park without taking any notice of the invitation to slow down and meander? What does it take for us to get quiet long enough to hear that call? It is terribly challenging with the frenetic energy of the city in summer – magnified by traffic, construction, and tourism – to savour anything. The trees have an abundance of healing to offer us if we are willing to accept their generosity.a